Background Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease and psoriatic lesions have shown leucocyte infiltration.
Objectives We aimed to study C‐reactive protein (CRP) and ...leucocyte activation markers/inhibitors as potential monitors of psoriasis vulgaris.
Methods A cross‐sectional (n = 73) and a longitudinal study (before, at 3, 6 and 12 weeks of therapy; n = 47) was performed; 10 patients started topical treatment, 17 narrow‐band ultraviolet light B (NBUVB) and 20 psolaren associated to UVA (PUVA); psoriasis severity was defined by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).
Results Compared with control (n = 38), we found higher CRP levels, total leukocyte/neutrophil count, elastase, lactoferrin and α1‐antitrypsin. Increasing PASI was linked to increasing CRP and a trend to higher elastase and lactoferrin, suggesting that worsening enhances inflammatory response with neutrophil activation. CRP correlated with PASI, total leucocytes, neutrophils, elastase, lactoferrin and α1‐antitrypsin. NBUVB and PUVA presented similar effects.
Conclusion We propose CRP as a useful marker of psoriasis severity that could be used to monitor psoriasis and its treatment, and, together with PASI and elastase, could also be used as a global index of severity.
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•UVA-irradiated FeIII-NTA complex was adopted to activate Oxone at neural pH.•UVA/FeIII-NTA/Oxone process led to a rapid degradation of crotamiton in water.•SO4•− was the dominant ...radical in UVA/FeIII-NTA/Oxone process.•SO4•− preferentially attacked on the amide and methyl groups of the CRMT molecular.
This study demonstrated an efficient activation of Oxone by ultraviolet light A-irradiated FeIII-nitrilotriacetate complex to induce the generation of sulfate and hydroxyl radicals (i.e., SO4•− and HO•) under initial neutral pH. The important parameters such as the solution pH, the molar ratio of nitrilotriacetate:FeIII, the dosages of Oxone and FeIII-nitrilotriacetate complex were evaluated in terms of the degradation kinetics of an emerging contaminant Crotamiton. The results indicated that fast degradation rates of crotamiton were achieved under initial circumneutral conditions (e.g., pH 5.0–7.0), with apparent rate constants at 0.0936–0.1287 min−1 (the ultraviolet light fluence-based rate constants at 0.48–0.66 J−1 cm2). In addition, the optimal molar ratio of nitrilotriacetate:FeIII was determined as 1:1, larger ratios decreased the degradation rate of crotamiton due to the competition effect of nitrilotriacetate on SO4•−. The suitable dosages of Oxone and FeIII-nitrilotriacetate complex were determined as 0.5 mM and 0.1 mM, respectively. Under the given optimal conditions, more than 99% degradation efficiency of crotamiton was achieved at an ultraviolet light fluence of 3.90 J cm−2, better than those results obtained by the activation of S2O82− and H2O2. The results of quenching tests (tert-butyl alcohol and 2-propanol as scavengers) suggested that SO4•− and HO• contributed ~65% and 35% to the degradation of crotamiton, respectively. Furthermore, the identified intermediates includes hydroxy-crotamiton, dihydroxy-crotamiton, aldehyde-crotamiton, aldehyde-dihydroxy-crotamiton, N-ethyl-2,3-dihydroxy-N-(o-tolyl)butanamide, (E)-N-ethyl-N-phenylbut-2-enamide, 2-(ethylamino)benzaldehyde and/or 2-(o-tolylamino)acetaldehyde, and (E)-N-ethylbut-2-enamide. The results indicated that the SO4•− preferentially attacked on the amide and methyl groups of crotamiton. This work provided insight into the efficacy, radicals formation and mechanism on the activation of Oxone by ultraviolet light A-irradiated FeIII-nitrilotriacetate complex, offering an alternative approach for advanced water treatment.
Birefringence is a fundamental optical property for linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. Thus far, it has proved to be very difficult to engineer large birefringence in optical crystals ...functioning in the UV region. Herein, we report the first 2D rare‐earth iodate–nitrate crystal Sc(IO3)2(NO3) (SINO), which is shown to exhibit giant optical anisotropy. Air‐stable SINO possesses a short UV absorption edge (298 nm), a strong NLO response (4.0 times that of benchmark KH2PO4) for the nitrate family, and the largest birefringence (Δn=0.348 at 546 nm) of inorganic oxide optical crystals. The unusually large birefringence and NLO response can be attributed to an optimized 2D layered structure, combined with highly polarizable and anisotropic building units IO3− and NO3−. These findings will facilitate the development of UV linear and NLO materials with giant optical anisotropy and promote their potential application in optoelectronic devices.
The 2D rare‐earth iodate–nitrate crystal Sc(IO3)2(NO3) (SINO) was found to exhibit a strong second‐harmonic‐generation response (4.0×KH2PO4) and a short UV absorption edge. It also displayed the largest birefringence among inorganic oxide optical crystals thus far (0.348@546 nm) as a result of an optimized 2D layered structure combined with highly polarizable and anisotropic building units IO3− and NO3− (see picture).
Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection is an effective technology for the inactivation of pathogens in water and is of growing interest for industrial application. A new UV source — ultraviolet light-emitting ...diode (UV-LED) — has emerged in the past decade with a number of advantages compared to traditional UV mercury lamps. This promising alternative raises great interest in the research on application of UV-LEDs for water treatment. Studies on UV-LED water disinfection have increased during the past few years. This article presents a comprehensive review of recent studies on UV-LEDs with various wavelengths for the inactivation of different microorganisms. Many inconsistent and incomparable data were found from published studies, which underscores the importance of establishing a standard protocol for studying UV-LED inactivation of microorganisms. Different UV sensitivities to UV-LEDs and traditional UV lamps were observed in the literature for some microorganisms, which requires further investigation for a better understanding of microorganism response to UV-LEDs. The unique aspects of UV-LEDs improve inactivation effectiveness by applying LED special features, such as multiple wavelengths and pulsed illumination; however, more studies are needed to investigate the influencing factors and mechanisms. The special features of UV-LEDs offer the flexibility of novel reactor designs for a broad application of UV-LED reactors.
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•The recent studies on newly emerging UV-LEDs for water disinfection are reviewed.•The inactivation effectiveness of different UV-LED wavelengths is illustrated.•The effects of UV-LED multiple wavelengths and pulsed illuminations are presented.•Mechanisms of microorganism inactivation by UV-LEDs are discussed.•Future research directions for UV-LED water disinfection are proposed.
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•VUV/UV/persulfate (VUV/UV/PS) process obviously promoted BPA degradation.•Interactions of selected variables on BPA degradation efficiency were significant.•Sulfate radicals were ...proved to be the dominant reaction active species.•BPA degradation was caused by hydroxylation reaction and β-scission of C–C bond.•The VUV/UV/PS process for BPA degradation was more energy-saving.
Enhanced degradation and mineralization of bisphenol A (BPA) known as a typical endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) in VUV/UV-activated persulfate process (VUV/UV/PS) were investigated. The pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant and total organic carbon (TOC) removal ratio of BPA in this process were 1.75 and 1.70 times of those in UV-activated PS process (UV/PS), respectively. The excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy of reaction solution at different time clearly indicated the change of BPA and its intermediates during the reaction process. The significant interactive effects of three important operating parameters including the initial concentration of BPA, the initial concentration of PS and the initial pH of solution on BPA degradation efficiency were evaluated and optimized by using central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). At the optimum experimental conditions (i.e., 30 mg/L BPA, 1.25 mM PS and at pH 9), the maximum degradation efficiency of BPA at 2 min was up to 92.2%. Sulfate radicals (SO4•-) were the dominant reaction activate species for BPA degradation. Based on the analysis of liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry (LC/MS), gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the reaction mixture and density function theory (DFT) calculation, it was proposed that BPA degradation was mainly caused by SO4•--induced hydroxylation reaction, HO• addition and β-scission of C–C bond. Moreover, the electrical energy consumption of BPA degradation in VUV/UV/PS process was less. Additionally, BPA in real water samples could also be effectively degraded at lower treatment costs in this process. Hence, the present study demonstrates that VUV/UV activation of PS is a highly efficient and economical alternative to remove BPA in real water matrices..
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•Reactivity of multi-layer graphene (MLG) exposed to water, extreme UV light and H2.•Oxidation monitored by in-situ infrared spectroscopy.•As grown MLG does not oxidize, MLG ...transferred onto aSi does show oxidation.•Differences in reactivity attributed to (trapped) water at the interface.
In this work we expose transferred multi-layer graphene (i.e. graphene separated from the substrate used for graphene growth and placed onto a carrier sample) to Extreme Ultraviolet light and water, in the presence of hydrogen. It is observed that graphene oxidizes by breaking down its aromatic structure into the enol form of 1,3-diketone. Furthermore, this oxidation is compared with studies on as-grown multi-layer graphene samples, which are shown to not oxidize. Our work shows that oxidation is most likely limited to a few layers of graphene at the interface between the graphene and the substrate onto which it is transferred. This is attributed to the presence of water, trapped during the transfer process, which is dissociated by secondary electrons from the substrate.
AlGaN‐based deep ultraviolet light‐emitting diodes (DUV LEDs) are featured with small size, DC driving, no environmental contamination etc., and they are now emerging as the excellent solid‐state ...light source to replace the conventional mercury based light tubes. Nevertheless, the DUV LEDs are currently affected by the poor external quantum efficiency (EQE), which is caused by the low internal quantum efficiency (IQE) and the very unsatisfying light extraction efficiency (LEE). In this work, the authors disclose the underlying mechanism for the low EQE and summarize the technologies that have been adopted so far for enhancing the EQE.
This paper comprehensively reviews III–V nitride based deep ultraviolet light‐emitting diodes (DUV LEDs), which are suffering from the low external quantum efficiency (EQE). This article conducts an in‐depth investigation on the issues that DUV LEDs are encountering now. The strategies that are taken by the research community to improve the EQE are summarized and analyzed.
Vitamin D is an important regulator of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis in animals. It can be acquired from the diet or synthesised de novo when skin is exposed to UVb. Vitamin D deficiency can ...lead to a complex of diseases collectively called metabolic bone disease (MBD). Diurnal lizards without access to UVb are prone to develop vitamin D deficiency, even when dietary vitamin D3 is provided. A trial was conducted to determine whether juvenile nocturnal lizards require access to UVb to prevent vitamin D deficiency. All leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) were supplemented with dietary vitamin D3. One group was exposed to low level UVb radiation (33–51 μW/cm2) from hatching until 6 months of age and a second group remained unexposed. Animals were fed ad libitum and their growth and weight gain compared with non-exposed controls. At the end of the trial, blood samples were analysed for vitamin D3 metabolites. The concentration of the vitamin D3 metabolite, 25(OH)D3, was higher in UVb exposed animals (61 ± 20 vs. 38 ± 8 nmol/L), confirming cutaneous synthesis with UVb exposure. Growth and weight gain were similar in both groups, and this, together with the absence of clinical symptoms, suggests that dietary vitamin D3 alone can meet the vitamin D requirements for growth of this nocturnal gecko, during the first six months of life. It remains to be investigated whether the higher vitamin D metabolite levels holds other health benefits for this species, such as improved bone density or immune response.
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•The nocturnal leopard gecko synthesizes vitamin D3 when exposed to UVb.•Low UVb (UVI ≤ 1.6) for 2 h daily increases 25(OH)D3 levels by 50%.•Dietary vitamin D3 maintains normal growth and weight gain in juvenile leopard geckos.
Ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) have started replacing UV lamps. The power per LED of high-power LED products has reached 12 W (14 A), which is 100 times the values observed ten years ...ago. In addition, the cost of these high-power LEDs has been decreasing. In this study, we attempt to understand the technologies and potential of UV-LEDs.
In this study, the performances and mechanisms of UV/ferrate(VI) oxidation were investigated comprehensively using 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) as a probe compound. UV/ferrate(VI) oxidation could ...efficiently degrade 2,4-DCP and its oxidation ability outperformed conventional UV-based advanced oxidation processes. Moreover, the degradation process of 2,4-DCP followed the pseudo-first order kinetics. In the absence of phosphate buffer, the rate constant of 2,4-DCP degradation increased from 9.4 × 10−3 to 2.4 × 10−2 min−1 when pH value was increased from 3.0 to 6.0. However, the degradation was significantly inhibited by phosphate buffer at an identical pH due to the complexation of phosphate with the ferrate(VI) decay products. HCO3− appreciably accelerated the degradation of 2,4-DCP, while Cl− showed a negligible effect on the degradation. For the first time, combining with the results of chemical probe method, competitive kinetic experiment, electron spin resonance spectra and radical quenching studies, superoxide radicals were demonstrated as the dominant reactive species responsible for the degradation. On the basis of the intermediates detected by LC-MS/MS analysis, a pathway for 2,4-DCP degradation was proposed. This study provides a novel approach for contaminant removal using UV/ferrate(VI) oxidation and sheds new insights into the oxidation mechanisms.
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•The oxidation ability of UV/ferrate(VI) was superior to most UV-based AOPs.•UV/ferrate(VI) could oxidize 2,4-dichlorophenol efficiently.•Phosphate-buffered system inhibited the efficiency of UV/ferrate(VI) oxidation.•Superoxide radicals were main reactive species contributing to the degradation.•The generation of superoxide radicals was notably enhanced under UV irradiation.
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